Simplified Acquisition Procedures

Contingent Fees

Fees based on specific conditions in contract clauses

Sole-source orders

Orders without competition, specified in Small Business Act

Micro-Purchase Threshold

Threshold for small purchases without provisions or clauses.

Purpose

To prescribe simplified acquisition procedures aiming to reduce costs, enhance opportunities for small businesses, promote efficiency, and avoid unnecessary burdens.

Contracting Officer's Knowledge

Utilizing the officer's understanding of the purchased item.

Arms Control Violations

Measures against individuals violating arms control treaties

Impartial evaluation

Objective assessment of quotations or offers

Administrator, OFPP

Official responsible for including laws in procurement policies

Brand Name Justification

Requirement to justify brand name usage in contracts

Promoting Competition

Requirement to maximize competition for advantageous offers

Brand-name justification

Requirement to post documentation for brand-name acquisitions

Covered Article

Restrictions on procurement based on FASCSA orders.

Covered Telecommunications Equipment

Restrictions on procurement due to security concerns.

Combined Synopsis and Solicitation

Single document for commercial products or services procurement

Lowest price technically acceptable

Source selection process based on price

Legal effect of quotations

Specifies that a quotation is not an offer and outlines the process by which a contract is established through acceptance of an order.

Market research

Study of market prices for price reasonableness

Minimum Order Price

Supplier quoting excessive minimum order price or quantity.

Bulk Funding

System authorizing lump sum funds for multiple purchases

Request for Information

Offering an explanation for award decisions beyond price.

Imprest fund

A fixed cash fund established by an advance of funds from an agency finance officer to a cashier, used for small cash payments.

Authorized individual

A person granted authority, following agency procedures, to acquire supplies and services in accordance with the specified part.

Governmentwide commercial purchase card

A purchase card, akin to a commercial credit card, issued to authorized agency personnel for acquiring and paying for supplies and services.

Third party draft

An agency bank draft, akin to a check, utilized for acquiring and paying for supplies and services.

Taxpayer Identification Number

Annotating the award document with contractor's TIN.

Comparison of proposed price

Assessing price against previous purchases or market prices

Evaluation of quotations

Assessment of submitted price offers

Reverse Auction

Auction where sellers compete to obtain business from buyer

Books and Records Examination

Authority to inspect contractors' financial records

52.215-2

Clause on audits and records negotiation, with exceptions

52.222-4

Clause on work hours and safety standards for overtime compensation

52.203-7

Clause outlining anti-kickback procedures

52.203-5

Clause prohibiting contingent fees in contracts

52.203-6

Clause restricting subcontractor sales to the government

Government Estimate

Comparing prices to an independent Government estimate.

Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Contracts below set monetary limit with specific laws exemptions

Transportation charges

Costs from supplier to delivery destination

Evaluation factors

Criteria used to assess quotations or offers

Standing Price Quotations

Current pricing info used without individual quotes for each purchase

Contract file

Documentation of contract details

Best value

Encouraged method for awarding contracts

Comparison

Evaluating items in related industries for price comparison.

Governmentwide Purchase Card

Exempt from verification for delinquent debts under TOP.

Absence of Competition

Explaining lack of competition for brand name purchases.

Considerations

Factors to assess before soliciting competition

Options in solicitations

Inclusion of additional terms in requests

Written solicitations

Issuing paper requests for quotations

Lowest Price Technically Acceptable

Justifying the use of this source selection process.

Documentation Retention

Keeping minimal records supporting purchases for management review.

10 U.S.C. 983

Law denying grants to institutions impeding military access

Criminal or Civil Penalties

Laws imposing punishment for violations

End User License Agreements

Legal agreements for software or services that may contain unenforceable clauses.

Public Law103-355

Legislation rendering specific provisions inapplicable

31 U.S.C. 1354(a)

Limitation on using funds for contracts not meeting veteran employment requirements

Written Solicitations

Limiting written records to show prices, suppliers, and terms.

Current price lists

Lists used for assessing price reasonableness

Policy

Mandates the use of simplified acquisition procedures for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, with exceptions for specific circumstances.

Synopsis Requirements

Mandatory public display and synopsis for contract actions

Supplier License Agreements

Many supplies or services are acquired subject to these agreements.

Scope of part

Policies and procedures for the acquisition of supplies and services, including construction, research and development, commercial products, and commercial services, not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

Drug-Free Workplace

Policy ensuring a drug-free work environment

Commercial Purchase Card

Preferred method for micro-purchases.

Anti-Deficiency Act

Prevents violations due to unauthorized obligations in micro-purchases.

Fair and reasonable price

Price assessment before contract award

Fairness and Reasonableness

Price inclusion alone does not establish fairness and reasonableness.

System for Award Management

Primary source for vendor information for contracting officers

Notices of proposed contract actions

Procedures in 5.704 for posting orders

Award notices

Procedures in 5.705

Soliciting competition

Process of requesting quotations or offers

Subcontractors Direct Sales

Prohibition on restricting subcontractors' sales to the US

TikTok

Prohibition on using the application in government purchases.

Kaspersky Lab

Prohibition on using their hardware, software, or services.

Notification to Suppliers

Providing notification to unsuccessful suppliers if requested.

Contingency Operations

Purchases supporting specific operations have higher thresholds.

Competitive range

Range of offers considered for award

Oral Solicitations

Recording oral price quotations for order propriety.

FAR Council

Regulatory body incorporating new laws into acquisition policies

Oral solicitation

Requesting quotations verbally

Certificates of Competency

Requirement for small business competency before rejection